Paris with Preschoolers

Just returned from 3 weeks in France. We saved Paris for the end of our trip, and enjoyed 5 days in the glorious city.

We rented an apartment from Vacation in Paris. Our location was very convenient, few blocks walking distance to the Pompidou, on the Remur Sebastopol metro line, though the neighborhood was definitely red light on the Rue St. Denis. When we arrived mid-afternoon on Sunday, we saw many young families, entering and exiting our private courtyard.

Our first evening we went to the Pompidou and enjoyed the street performers outside and then had dinner at a nearby Brasserie. Found a corner fruit stand and stocked up on milk, yogurt, and chocolates.

Day 2 - Explored the metro and went to the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Lines were already long, so explored the views from many sides, enjoyed a crepe, and jumped on the Batobus. We purchased a five day pass. Went to Creperie d%26#39; Arts for lunch, then off to Notre Dame. Stood in line about 45 minutes to climb the tower. Traded line queueing with the parents, while taking turns exploring the cathedral with the kids. Views from the top were great. The kids loved the tower after preparing by watching the Notre Dame movies about 6 times before we arrived. We went to the Louvre to grab postcards for the kids treasure hunt on Wednesday and get them excited about the art work. Had a basic plan of our visit layed out based on the kids preference for the Egytion art and crown jewels. Then we headed out to Sacre Coeur, it was to late to go up, but enjoyed the views and the carousel at the base of the tower.

Day 3 - In the morning explored Les Halles and the playground. Later headed off to the Rodin museum, had lunch in the garden, then headed out to Hotel de Invalides for Napoleon%26#39;s tomb (we had visited Corsica on this trip were Napoleon was born, so came full circle). Also visited Musee de l%26#39;Armee, though the armour section was closed.

Day 4 - We headed out to the Eiffel tower, just after 8AM and were in line by 8:45. When the ticket booth opened at 9:30, we were second elevator load in line. Views were sunny, though a bit hazy. Afterwards we again took the Batobus to the Musee D%26#39; Orsay. Enjoyed the museum for an hour, then had lunch, and a bit longer in the museum. We went to the Louvre on Wednesday afternoon (they are open late on Wednesdays). Walked straight to the Mona Lisa, no real lines, then wandered back enjoying the art and Winged Victory, crown jewels, Egypt, and Venus de Milo. Went to Parc Butte Chaumont in the 19th. It was a long trip, but the kids enjoyed running around with the french children in the caves and waterfalls. Returned to the Champs Elysees with the plan of going to Hippopotamus (it%26#39;s closed). Had dinner then walked up to the Arc de Triompe. The stairs to the top closed at 10:30, so we just missed it. We enjoyed the views of the Eiffel until 11:00PM when it lit up all twinkling, then headed home for the night.

Day 5 - First stop was Ste. Chappelle, it was beautiful. Went to the Pompidou and had lunch on the rooftop with the beautiful views. Went to the Jardin de Tuilerries, rode the carousel and jumped on the trampoline, then walked to the Champs Elysees for dinner again and then to the Arc de Triompe. We went to the top, watched the Eiffel twinkle at 10PM then headed home.

Day 6 - Shopping at Les Halles, Pompidou, and our neighborhood Monoprix then off to the airport for the 2:20PM flight home. Kids slept for a couple hours right after getting on the flight (with the help of Benadryl), then stayed awake until we made it back to our home in Seattle at 11:30PM.

The French are extremely kind to children. We were always offered seats on the metro. Several french young men flirted with our three year old. Bistros, cafes, and brasseries, were extremly accomodating - never tried a restaurant with them.

We had purchased a three day museum pass, that I would definitely do again. The only place is was really needed for line jumping was at the Orsay. There were no measureable lines at the Rodin, Louvre, or Arc de Triompe. Notre Dame and Ste. Chappelle do not allow line jumping with the pass.

We purchased 3 adult carnets for the metro, I had gotten 13 child metro passes before we left from another Trip Advisor member before we left and still have some leftover.

Used notes from my months of Trip Advisor surfing and the Take the Kids to Paris books and feel like we really enjoyed the best of Paris with our short stay.

Great trip and hope to return again soon.

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You have done a lot, good! Though i am quite you can line-jump at the Ste Chapelle, i have seen people entering straight through with their museum pass.

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How old are your children? How many? Curious as my kids are looking forward to going simply as I am so excited!! I%26#39;m impressed with how much you did! Thanks for the report.

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Our children are three (girl) and five (boy). I was also amazed by how much we did. Our five year old was continually ready for whatever was next and he walked all the places we walked. Our three year old ended up being packed around about half the time.

Enjoy your trip!